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Alex Caruso, Chicago Bulls. (Photo by David Yeazell-USA TODAY Sports) – New York Knicks
Trade #2: Paying the price for an All-NBA defender
This trade is a little more tricky, as this move entirely depends on whether or not the team involved wishes to enter the rebuilding phase or not. However, if they do, the Knicks should not hesitate to acquire this player.
Bulls Get
Obi Toppin
Miles McBride
2024 first-round pick via DAL
Knicks' 2025 first-round pick (Top-10 protected)
The price may turn some fans off, however, the skill set Alex Caruso would bring to the Knicks could help elevate the team to a whole different level. Not only is Caruso one of the best defenders in the league, but his offense is more than serviceable.
In 2022-23, Caruso averaged 5.6 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 2.9 assists while shooting 45.5% from the field and 36.4% from three on 2.3 attempts. In addition to this, Caruso averaged 2.2 steals per game and as mentioned before, was one of the league’s best defenders.
Adding Caruso to a defensive core that already features Immanuel Quickley, Quentin Grimes, and Josh Hart would elevate the Knicks’ defense by a ridiculous amount. Most importantly, Caruso is an incredibly versatile player, being able to man the one-through-three with relative ease.
Not only are the Bulls getting some interesting pieces to boost their potential rebuild attempt, but are also getting two first-round picks. The asking price for Caruso is more than you’d expect, but it’s one the Knicks may want to consider paying.
to get traded</a> than others is forward Obi Toppin. Since being drafted, the talents Toppin has have been very apparent, however, he has not been used properly on offense.</p>
<p>That, combined with his lack of defense, simply makes him a bad fit for what the Knicks are trying to put out on the floor every night. Fans would like to see Toppin stick around, but the odds of this happening aren’t in his favor.</p>
<h2>3 trades centered around Obi Toppin the Knicks should consider</h2>
<h3>Trade #3: Sending Obi Toppin off for a veteran sharpshooter</h3>
<p>This is a trade we’ve suggested several times in the past and it makes sense for both sides. Not only are the Knicks getting some much-needed three-point shooting, but the other team involved is getting an exciting power forward to pair with their star guard.</p>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Trade" data-team-ids="[27,100]" data-team-gets="[["Buddy Hield"],["Obi Toppin","Evan Fournier","2024 first-round pick via DAL"]]"
> <div class="playertrade remove-native-227"> <div class="trade"> <div class="team a"> <div class="logo"><img src=https://dailyknicks.com/2023/06/15/3-obi-toppin-trades-knicks-need-consider-offseason/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fknicks.png"/>
<div class="details"> <div class="team-name">Knicks Get</div> <div class="info">Buddy Hield</div> </div> </div> <div class="separator"></div> <div class="team b"> <div class="logo"><img src=https://dailyknicks.com/2023/06/15/3-obi-toppin-trades-knicks-need-consider-offseason/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fpacers.png"/>
<div class="details"> <div class="team-name">Pacers Get</div> <div class="info">Obi Toppin</div> <div class="info">Evan Fournier</div> <div class="info">2024 first-round pick via DAL</div> </div> </div> </div> </div>
</div>
<p>The Pacers are in an incredibly weird spot right now. While they should be in a position to rebuild, they still have several veterans that should be nowhere near that sort of team. Who knows if their actual intentions are to tear down and start over or not. However, if they do rebuild, the Knicks should jump on the opportunity to get a player <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2023/06/15/3-obi-toppin-trades-knicks-need-consider-offseason/2/"https://dailyknicks.com/2023/05/22/4-bold-predictions-new-york-knicks-offseason-randle-barrett/">like Buddy Hield</a>.</p>
<p>Hield would fit perfectly with the Knicks while providing some all-time three-point shooting. Last season, the Knicks ranked 19th in three-point percentage and when it came time for the playoffs they became even worse in that aspect. Adding a player who just shot 42.5% from three on 8.5 attempts is exactly how to improve this stat.</p>
<p>For the Pacers, they can come closer to entering a rebuilding stage by not only acquiring a perfect fitting power forward next to Tyrese Haliburton, but they are also gaining a contract they can shed at the end of the year along with a first-round pick.</p>
<p>The price may not be cheap, but this honestly may be lowballing the Pacers a bit. However, considering that Hield has one year left on his deal, this sort of value should suffice for his services.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #007BC1" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://dailyknicks.com/2023/06/15/3-obi-toppin-trades-knicks-need-consider-offseason/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Bringing in some much-needed perimeter defense </a>
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